Machine for folding pliable material.



c. P. STANBUN. MACHINE FOR FOLDING PLIABLE MATERIAL.

C. P. STANBON.

MACHINEy FUR roLnmG PLlALE MMEmAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-6.1910.

Patented Jan. 9, 191'?.

3 SNEETS-SHEET 3.

CHARLES e. srANBoN, or' saluons,

PATENT OFFICE.

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TD UNITED SHOE MCHINERY COMPANY, 0F P'I'ERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CRIPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY. y

Speceation of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917,

Application fed September 6, 1910. Serial No. 580,723. i r

u l To alt' wfwm at may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES P. TANBUN,

e. citizen of the llnited States,and a resident of Sangue, 1n the county of Essex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, lievelinvented an lmprovement in Machines for,

ll'oleling'- llinble Material, of ,which the following.; description, in connection with the infcompunying drawings, is u, specification, like letters on the drawings represenng like parts.

My invention relates to machines for folding the edges of pliable material., Such as leather, and is particularly adapted for folding the edges of parts of boots und shoes Such as cops, ramps, buck stays, etc., where it is desired to. give them ai more finishednppeamnce Mv invention is intended to provide means for folding the edge of the materiel evenly und sn'iootlily, :is well where the outline of the work is irregular und comprises Sharp ensures. as where it is more re 1rular or even straight, a result which, so er as I am aware, is not accomplished hy any other machine at the present time.

(lne embodiment of my invention seleeted for illustration und description herein, is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein; Y

Figure l is n eide elevation, various parts living, in pinces. broken away for iclearnes's; Figi. 2 n front end elevation, :i portion of the iop oeing broken away; Fig. 3 o. plan ol that portion of the work tnhle immediately beneath the folding members on the line of Fig. 2, showing the lowerend of ille hummer insertion; Fig. l n vertical, Sertionnl View from the right, on the line Fig. 3. showing portion of the forr-nfd purr. ol' the machine helen' the work telde with the. principal folding* members in elevation: Fig. n vertical, sectional, longitudinal view'ou the line 5-5, Fig 3, Show ing the entier bloei( and work tnhle, the folder end some of its immediate connection` in section; lfin. 6 :i piiriul, vertical sei-lion on the line ii-(5 of Fig. l, looking from the front of the machine: Fig. 7 u, partial, vertical section on the line l-7, Fig. i, looking.,r from thcrenr; Fig. B it pumped tire of the folding members showing the Werl: in position to he folded therebyi :ind

Fig. 9 a longitudinal elevation of the cutter block and edge turner looking from the ri ht, Fig. 1.

he folding operation, according to m invention, onsists substantially of the fo lowing steps, lrst, feeding the work upon an edge turner winch turns up the cemented edge of the work, and, practically simul taneouly therewith, when desired, slitting the same to insure eventual smootlmess of the folded edge; second, folding the u turned and sliftted edge by means of t, fol

ing linger, Athe edge being folded over n.,

.foldngfeed finger 1n theform of a, hook ,which acts as a guide therefor andwhich determines the. line of fold; and lastly, hammering the `folded edge to insure the retention thereof by the cement.

Referring first to 1, my invention is shown embodied in a machine comprising a l1 low bed, having an overhanging arm 2, w ich serves-as e support for various open .ating members and one Side wll of which is largely broken away in this figure for clearness. Thebed is adapted to rest or be Secured upon a bench or be supported upon suitable legs as desired. The bed is provided et. its forward end, and immediately beneath the down-turned end of the arm 2, with a work table 3, hereinrshown as circular.

Extending longitudinally of the'bed, and snituhly mounted inbeurings therein, is a driving shaft l, upon the rear end of which is secured e hund Wheel 5, the hub 6 of which extends to the end of the shaft 4 and is secured thereon by a Washer and screw (W. A loose stepped pulley 7, shown -herein partly in section, and adapted to receive power from :rsuteble source, is mounted loosely on the hul: 6 of said hand Wheel 5. The faire of the Wheel 5, adjacent to the loose pulley 7, is grooved to receive a friction member 5a, as of leather, to make frictional contact with the stepped pulley 7 when lire latter usual hell bearing 8 is provided het-Ween the huh il of the hand wheel. 5 and the s111112, and a spring 9, encirclirn,r the huh of the wheel and interposed between said Wheel 5 and the hubf'of the stepped pulleyf'l', serves lto keep said"wl1eel und pulley normally out of engagement. Similarly mounted in Said.

pressed against it. A'

53 of a friction clutch 5l, arranged to iinpa rt sten by step rotation to the outer feed shaft 22. i

It is evident froln'the foregoing that rotation of the shaft 4 and eau] iii thereon will iin art osrillatory motion through the roll 3land stad 'll te the lever 4.1, the pin l5 actv ing ar: mjah-rum therefor, and hy means of the link '2 and arm i3 impart oseillatory movement to the Shaft 3U and feed hook .23 thereon and h v means of the pin 53 on said clutch 5l transmit intermittent motion in -one direction, herewith the right, Fig. 7, to the shaft 22 and feed wheel :2U thereon. and that Said motion will he sinniltaneous with the forward motion of said hook. lt is obi'inna that hy raisingu or lowering the bloei;

4U and thereh the pin lithe fnlernni of the lever 4l will e so moved that the throw of the upper end of said lever will be CorrespoinlintgltY increased or diminished and consequently also the extent of the. feedini;r nioyelnei-it of said hook 2. and wheel 2U actuated and eontrolled hy the movement; of :aid lever. sp1-ing 52% sel-nred to said arm lil and to the arm 2, serves to return said aria 4l), hloeh lll and its toleran) nin to their opper and norinal positions whichT as shown herein are adapted to provide the niiniinan feeding; movement.

l" i le purpose of raising and lowering;V the llloi 4G and varying the extent ol' feed oi' the feeding nieznhers at will` lY :are shown one end of the front har of the arm lti on the shaft 10, referred to, provided with a roll 5l whiel, in its normal l'ioeition. is di reetly over the arm 4U' and a short distance above it. Depression of the arni lll as hy a treadle. not shown, will therefore, if of nullieient extent, not, only rock the shaft l0 to throw the loose pulley 7 into engagement. with the wheel 5 as dtserilad` hat will @anse the roll 54.- to iinpinge on the upper fare. of the arm 49 and depress ythe latter` therehy drayi'ing downward the fulrruni hlm-li lo and 'nlermn pin 45, and inereaslng the throw oaid lever and the extent of the feeding` moi'ement thereof. Sneh deinesaion of thelerer 1li and rorking ol' the `shaft ttl will not affect the operation of the rluteh linger l2 in holding the palle;y 7 in engagement with the hand wheel 5 since, after miel wheel and pulley clutch are in engagement. further rocking of the shaft 10 and depression of the .finger 1:. are permitted hy the spring.: i7 :3h-the forward end of said shaft whir'h ner- Ilits the Shaft to more long gitudinall \Y in its bearings without diseonnert'mrr the hand wheel 5 and stepped nulle)v 7.

Tmenahle the feed hook 23 to he raised and freed from the work after earl) 'feeding movement and returned for a new engagement with the work, I have provided (Flits. :2 and 4) a cam wheel 55 at the forward end of the main .shaft 4, in engagement `with a roll 5G on the end of a sind Il?, at the under t'aeo of the feed hooi; carrier 2, wlieirehj.' the carrier and itsr feed hook 23 are angle larly raised in the "rohe 28. and from the work. at the proper times, and returned lay means of the springl.) heretofore referred to.

Before dessrrihing tl artion olI the folding; linger proper. l will explain the means proridedlor presenting they edge of the material in an advantageom` position for the foldingT thereof. This inl-ans, Figs. "l, 25, and El, comprises a eoniliined mutter hloeh and edge turner 58 preferably of lnome sott material., an bi1-ass, Het sullstantially flush into the upper face ol the removable Central sei-tion Lot' the work tahle and secured thereto, herein h v serewa lill. The outer side (il of thia4 entter hloel"` heinir the lower edge Fig. 3, graduallj.' riseny and curves inwardly toward the inner end of the hlorlt adjacent the hooi-I ZT' and. at its enlh just lleneath ,said hook, nieetrthe opp( alle of the hlorli,

i; thus providilngr an upwardly and inwardly iueliglell burfm-Q lili wliiell i'lttrl nlm the edge otu the material fed against it and turns said edge lum'ardlj.r lneparatory to folding and also lio present it to the entter to lie de- Srrilied. At a point snhstantially. herein, hallway op said invline. a vertical gage or guide pin (li is fined against whirl; the edgre material in guided so that an einen la obtained the edge of the mate rial is led un said inrhned Surface lill, Fight, S'and il. vmid edgrey gradually mii-zeil until. at the inner rnd ol' said inf-line. it is in a :anllstantialljf Yerliral position` ready to he folded down over the hook 'J3 h r the folding;r linger to he desrrihed while` thil liody ol the material is beneath said lloolz. To retain the edge rlonely against the Hnrliafe 33 of the eonillined enttezr llloel; and edge turner and to prevent said edge from eurling over lle'lore it rearhea the folder. whifli would canne' inl'olding, l provide the edge of the rntter lilorl( with a worlholding linger, eoninriaing a rshanl". 35. held in a groove in the upper i'are ol the, renioiahle Herlion 5l? hy a sferen' l?, said shank. 'at'.,it` inner end adjarent the hool-z lining: tin-ned ana'nlarllv anaal-d at (Srl and then inirard :md downward at nil so :is to eonorz'n generalljr to. hat aeggaratrll fltlj.' from, the, snrl'are olt they ruttrr lllofzlt, the til) of raitly linger living tin-ned 'slightly outward away from said hlm-k to l'aeilitate naseiage of the work beneath it. Thisv linger arts :as a tao-rt of presser to hold the untnrned edge ol' the materia! 'flat against and upon the upwardly inclined fave of said cutter block, thereby to prevent it from rnrling away and iniolrling, as desforihed. i

rThe folding member proper, See Fig. 4, roinnrisies a curved folding finger Tl) sobstantially vertically.positioned and secured at one end, see Fig. a', to :i short, horizontal therefor.

rock shaft 71 having'bearing in opposed grooves in the upper and lower faces respectively of the removable central section 5U of the work table 3, and a cover plate 72 Said shaft T1 intermediate its ends, VFig. 5, has a depending forked arm 73 to wihich is pivotally connected one end of' an actuating lever Tl l'uleruined at its opposite end to the forked head of a screw 1t) stud threaded into and thereby adjustably secured to the front of the bed. At a point opposite the end of the main shaft 4, said folder actuatingr lever lis provided with a roll stud TG, Figs. 1, 2 and l, which engages a cani fare TS on the inner slurf-ace and of the hook actuating cani wheel 55 already,

described. A ruide for the lever 74 in the forni of a vertically slotted stud T9, Fig. 2, is threaded into the front wall of the bed, said stud is drilled centrally and '.longitudinally to receive a coiled spring Sd pvhieh presses outward on and acts to retain 'the roll TV against the cani suirface 78. Thus rotation of the shaft l and cani 7S causes the lever Tl to be rocked on its fulrruni T5, and impart a forward and downward folding movement to the 'folding linger Tl) and causing the saine to fold the raised edge of the material down over and upon the intlu'ned end ofthe hooked folding feed linger 2l. l

ln order to fold the edge of the material smoothly and evenly where said edge is sharply curved. it is desirable to slit said edge at frequent interrals. and for this purpose l have prm'ided a slitting knife Sl, l `igs- 1 and 2, which is removably secured to and in the forked ends of an upwardly and rearwardly inclined knife carrier 82 by 40 a screw 83, a V-shaped slot'l in the upper end ot the knife. see dotted lille Fig. 1. being engaged by a similarly shaped projection S in the knife carrier holding the knife firmly in position. This knife slides in suitable, bearings in the arni head and to operate it I provide an eccentric Htl on the nlain shaft fl. which eccentric is pivotally connected by a right and left threaded link HT with a screw SS threaded into and morable in the short arm 9U of a bell. crank lerer. fulerunied at U2 in the arm The opposite front end of said lever is ronneeted by a link 53 with the upper end ofi said knife carrier 82. vRotation of said niain shaft l imparts reeiproratory motion to said vided means for adjusting the position of the knife carrier. This means, see Fig. G, comprises herein a link 9T connected at one end to the joint between the eccentric arm 98 and right and left threaded link 87, and at its opposite end connected to the upper arm 0f a bell crank lever 100 fast to the shaft 50 referred to. The lower arm of said lever 100 has a recess at one face thereof to receive one end of a coiled spring 103, the other end of which is seated against an adjusting screw in the inner wall of the bed.. The opposite face of said lever arm is engaged by the end of an adjusting rod lol fitted at its other end with a hand wheel 10G, having threaded engagement with a split bearing block 107 adjustably secured to said bed. A clamp screw 108 furnishes means by which said split head bearing block may be tightened about the rod lOl to create suilicient friction to remove all danger of said rod and the knife getting out of adjustment. By the described means it is clear that the joint 99 between the eccentric rod 98 and link 87 may be shifted like a ,toggle joint to lower or raise the knife relative to the cutting block 58. l" or raising the knife from the work entirely, as, for instance, when approaching a seam, I have secured, see dotted lines Fig. C, an arm 105 to the shaft 50, and by means of a treadle, not shown, this arm may be depressed at any time by the foot to throw the upper arm 10() of the lever-forward collapsing the toggle joint and vithdrawing the knife from the work.

The eccentric Se is so adjusted on the shaft as to time of rotation that the' knife is caused to slit the partly upturned edge of the work `inst before it is engaged by the feed hook 2l, said knife cutting,r against the beveled face (33 of the cutter block at a point where it is substantially at an angle of 45C. By this angular arrangement of the knife and cutting block the edge of the work is slit while in a natural position without Vstretching the same. If the knife operated vertically against a fiat rutn ting block part of the edge of the vwork would be pressed down thereby upon said cutting block, and the distance .between the portion of the edge folded down upon the hook 2l and the unfolded portion engaged and compressed by the knife is so short that such compression by the knife would stretch said edge and cause a fullness and unevenness in the folded edge. Close to the foldllO 'ing finger 70 and in a position to engage the folded edge as soon as the linger has acted upon it is a hammer 110.J which drops with a slight inward vmovement thereof upon and hammers thev parts of the folded edge of the work tightly together and also holds the edge down upon the work table while the folding finger 70 and feed hook 24 are raised preparetorytothe next-engagen4 :www: the end of said finger and hook to prevent, sofar :is possible, the folded edge from'being raised by the feed finger on its upward movement pre aaratory to fnrther engagement with an feeding of the work. T he hammer 11G is drilled lungi` tudinally sind herein centrally, to receive n presser pin 111, extending slightiy below the end of the hummer head 111 and retained `therein by e locking pin 111" extending laterally from said presser pin into slots in opposite faces of the hummer shank 110 and permitting longitudinal movement of the pin 111n relative to said hammer. A spring 111c is interposed between the npper end of the presser pin 111 and the top of the passage in which said pin moves, which spring normally yieldingly presses said pin 111"'do\vn\vard as far ns the pin 111h and sziidnslots permit. This pin'111a engages the work on the downward movement of the hammer 110 in advance of said hummer and also remains in engagement with the work after seid hammer has begun its upward travel. Thisv prolonged engage'- nient of the presser pin 111'* with the work serves two purposes; first, it avoids the danlser of the work being raised from the table, on the upward travel of the hammer, by suction, or the cement on the work adhering to the heed of the hammer; and it also serves to retniii the work in position on the 40 table after the hummer has begun its upwurd travel and until the feed finger 24 has securelj,r engaged said Work to feed the same. In this way all danger is removed of the work being displaced from its proper position on the table between successive folding'zind feeding steps.

The hammer moves in a groove 112 in a block 113 pivotelly secured to the end of the arm 2. The upper end of the hammer shank 110 terminates in a round md 114 haring a spring 115 coiled thereaboutone end otwhich bears against e nut 116 threaded on seid rod somewhat above the ree tungular shank, while the opposite end of 55 seid spring rests against the end of e sleeve 117 on the upper end of said rod, secured thereon by n nut 118 which provides s hem'v ing for the rod. Said slee-ve iS received by the forked end 119 of a lever 120 and is pirotallv secured thereto by the opposed pivot studs 121 threaded into the :arms of smid forked end, and engaging smid sleeve at opposite points on the sides thereof. 'lhe described construction permits adjustmentof the hammerrelative. to tl'e lever when iii necessary und the Spring: permits the hemmer to yield somewhat rclntie to the lever in emergencies, es for instance when s seam is encountered or the thickness of the edoods is increased for :my reason.

The lever is provided with n downwardlyv extended arm 1122, the end of whieh is lul" crnrned upon the eccentric hub 123 ui' :i crnnku121 pivoted upon the wellslit' the nut-- chine arm by a srrew holt said crank 121 hns :i handle 126 prm'ided with n spring pressed lockingF pin 12T, which, entering e depression on the machine arm, serves to keep the seid crank in desired position.. B v withdrawing the pin from snid depression the crank muy be turned to raise said lever, withdraw the hummer from the Work and permit the Work to be withdrawn from the machine.

To cause the hammer to descend und engage the Work regularly and hold the sume securely while the feed hook 21 raised and returned for further engagement'. with the work, the inner end of the lever 1'20 pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 129 by e stud 13), the. inner iizittened end of which is pivoted to the forked upper end of said link, the stud itself beingu rotaitively held in the squared end of the lever 12() which is bored to receive the suine with asliding fit. The inner end of the stnd 130 is provided with a roll 133 adapted to travel in e groove 134 in the wall of the erm und thereby guide the movements of. seid lever on. the upper side of seid. link. The lower end of the link 129 has threaded engagement with the strap of an eccentric 186 on the main shaft 4.

Having described the functions and particuiar operation of the different members of the embodiment of ,my 'invention illustreted herein, performingn the seperate steps of the folding operation, l will briefly describe the action of the machine :is :L whole. The operator facing the side of the nmchine shown 'in Fig. 1, rotates the han-d wheel 5 until the feed hook 24. and folding` linger T0 are in their uppermost positions, when the hammer 110 `vill be in its lowermost posi tion, and the knife Si intermediate its nppermost and, lowermost positions sind just above the inturned point of the feeding hook 24. The opereter then places the Werl; on the table 3, with that point` of the edge of the work Vfirst to be folded' directly beneath the tip of the hook`24, said edge :ibut ting the gage pin S underlying the presser nger 69 and overlying the diagonallv upv wardly inclined upper face 63 o'f the cutter block and edge turner 58 as shown in Fig. 8. Rotation of theshaft 4 through the eccentrie SG thereon. the link 87, lever 90, and link 93 imparts further upward movement to the knife 81; rotation of the mm on seid shaft allows the spring 32 to depresq the carrier 2T and its feed hook "31. and the errenfrir 13G. hr means of the link 129 and lever l2!) raises the hammer lll). the, presser pin lll;i remaining in engagement with the work a short period of time after the llamxner begins ils4 upward trawl to hohl the work until `the feed linger engages it seourely.

lVhen the hook il reaches the limit of its downward travel and engages the work, the rocking of the .shaft 3U hv means of the cam 3l, sind Bn, lever lil and link l-:B ronneeled to the arm l?. m. said .shaft and the intermittent motion imparted to the hollow sha it 22 by the :tores-aid means in connection with the pin 523 'and elutrh 51 on the shaft .22 eanse the hook 2l and tred wheel ill) with the work between them to feed the same away from the operator. The work is 'fed up the inclined face of this cutter block and edge turner 5H beneath the presser finger lill and in front of the. folding linger 7U, the knife .q1 continuing its trarel upward. .lust hefor@` the hook 2l and wheel 2() reach the, limit of their feeding mo.'e|nent the knife begins its downward movement to slit the edge of the work` if said edge is rnrved.y to facilitate the smooth folding thereof.

As the hook 34 and wheel-2U position the work before the folder TU and rease io feed` the movement of the roll Tl upon the tace of the earn TH causes the lever T4 to throw they folder T() Jforward against the snlistan tially upright edge of the work. thereinv foldingr the same down and upon the inturned end ofthe folding hook 2l. whirh acts as a gage to assist in determining the line of fold and also as a rest therefor. As the feed ing movement of the hook 24 and wheel 20 ceases the hammer begins -to descend. The hook remains stationary while the folder is -foldingr the edge of the work as described, the hammer and knife continuing their downward travel. The hammer descends on the folded edge of the work` as the same is fed to it a fter the first folding morena-nt ol the folden and hammers it together to in Sure the adhesion thereof hy means ol' the rement previously applied thereto. the inward morement of the hammer head wiping the inturned edge of the` work over upon the work as 'fa r as the crease made hy the folder will permit. insuring a straight edge (herrfor.

The knife contacts with the work at an angle ol substantially fortylive degrees on the. inclined fare of the hlock and ents Said work just before it is presented lo the folder. rThis cutting of the, work' while the same is in a raised angular position is an iinportant :ulrantnge of this machine:

Some kinds of material, especially thin leather` .stretch Very easily and if the edge thereof is pressed down upon a [lat surface by a knife during the cutting operation1 while the adjoining portion of the edge is folded and held iirmly. hy a folder or similar inemher said edge will stretch and pncker and prevent the nren and smooth folding of the same. By nv method of slitting the edge this lrouhle is avoided.

'lhe hook, knil'eand folder rise substantiallY together after the folding and slitting nl' the work, the hammer, however, continuing its downward nuwcment where it engages the work as the hook leaves it the presser pin llla engaging the work slihtly in advance of the hammer. The hook, hy the continued rocking of the shaft S() and forward motion of the sha lt 22 and rotation of the ram 55 is then raised again and as it rises is moved toward" the operator in position to again descend to engage and feed the work for a repetition of the steps as de scrihedfXs the hook descends und engages the work it presses the saine tightly against the lip on the feed wheel which thereby asr slsts in forming an even folded edgevhy pr0- riding a sharp uniform edge over which the work is folded h v the folding finger. It will he noticed that the presser linger keeps the edge pressed down smooth upon the block until it is fed before the folder` thereby prere'ntng infolding of said edge.`

The feeding members are'preferahly adjusted to give the work the minimum feed for the nature of the work in hand. Therefore. inasmuch as the movements of the knife and folder correspond. in frequency to the actuation of the feeding members it will he evident since said feed is adjustable, that. hy adjusting seid members to provide a very limited feed at each actuation thereof, the knife and folding finger will operate upon closely adjacent portions of the edge of the work whieh is thereby evenly and smoothly folded around the sharpest curves. The fact that thefolding member is narrow and the rest upon which the work is folded is narrow also contributes to the possibility of fi lding the edge smoothly around sharp rui-ves.

ll the edge of the work is straight or nearly' soq it will heunneeessry to slit the same to fold it smoothly and evenly and in such a ease, or if `when folding about a sharp curve a seam in the goods is encountered, the knife may 'ne raised to free it from contact with the workentirely. This may he done hy depressing the arm l05'on the shaft 50 thereby roeking the same to rause the lever 10U to close`r more or less the toggle joint 99, thus shortening the eli'eetire length ofthe link S7 and raising the knife Si. The hammer may he raised te per-A mitwithdrawal of the work or for any other reason hy withdra'wiing the pin 127 from its seal and then depressing the crank 111i,

thereby raising the fulerinn of the lever 1Q() and also raising the hammer Itself.

l It would. doubtless, lie poeailvle. to vary the deserihed eonstruntion in detalle, without departing from the .Lzpirit and srope oi' Inj; in vent'ion, and

l-laving Shown one einhmlinient thereof l rlaini: f

i. ln a inslrhine for t'ohlini;T pliable anaterial. die eomliination with folding inatramentalities.. of a hammer. and nil-ani; for moving Iaaid hainnirr ilinrnn'arilly and in wardly npon the mai-grin.

il. In a marhine t'ar folding: pliable nia erial, the Combination with fnlding instru nientalitiea` ot' means to determine the line of fold and an intlxrowing lianiiner arranged to operate upon the folded edge.

3. A machine of the claas deserilled having. in eonihination. a frame. folding instrmnentalities. a vibrating `'littingr knife, an actuation shaft. driving eonneetiona hetween the shaft and..knife for Vibrating; the knife normally in a mili whirh intr-warts the work. :said eonneetioin,` lil-inf: eonatraeted and arrangeil to he manipulated to more, the knife to inoperative pmition. and treadle operated means carried hy llnffraine for accomplishing said in-.inipalaiion ai will darin the operation o'f the machine.

4. i machine of the claas deaerihed haw ing, in combination. a frame. folding.; instrumentalitie, a vibrating slitting knife. an actuating shaft, driving` connections hetween the shaft and knife for vibrating the knife normally in a path which intersects the work, said connections; being mina-trant ed and arranged to be varied in ell'eefive length for the purpose of moving the knife ont. of range of the work. and treadle oporated means mounted on the fraaie for controlling the driving connections.

5. In a machine for folding pliable mate-- rial, the combination with work feeding means of a slitting knife. means positively connected at all timee` with the knife for vibrating it. a spring normali).r aeting to canse the path of the knife tn inte-weet the material, and means nader Control of the operator daring the operation of the niaehine for changing the location of the path nf the slitting knife ln' amine; in oppo'ition to said spring to render aaild knife, inopnrative without interrupting its v"iliraticnn (l. Iii a inaehine for folding pliable :nalerial, the eninl'iination of means to feed the Work. means to 4alii:` the edge of the work. means to determine ,1l/.he line nl' fold. folding means. a presser. an'd means for moving` said pressi/er i'lownwai'ilh and inwardly to wipe over and press flown the folded snai-grin.

7. In a machine for folding pliable material, the. eoinhination of a lied, a work falde.

-a-n inclined edge-turning rlitter liloek. an

edge-slitting knife. an edge'l"olding 1` finger. feeding m 1an. comprising a feed wheel and a feed finger. and a hammer to hammer downwardly and inwardly the folded ,work edge. i

n. ln a machine for fnldin pliable material. the eoinliinaion with folding instrainentalities, nl.' a member having an edge to determine the line of fold. and means for holding; s: id inenilier stationary daring the folding operation.

5l. ln a inaehine for folding pliable mate rial. the s`-oinlrination of a lied. a work taille. an inclined edge-turning' enlter block. an inrlined edgefslitting knife. an edge-felding finger, feeding ineansi comprising a feed wheel and a linok-shaiwd feed finger. and a hammer inning a lateral throw to hammer downwardly` and laterally the folded work edge.

l0. In a niaeliine for folding pliahle malerial, the combination of a bed, a work taille, an inelined edge-turning cutter block. an erlgo'slitting knife for sliltinggthe workedfe when in an iin-.lined position. a folding' linger. feeding means romprising a llanged feed wheel and a hook-shaped feed linger. and an intlirnning hammer to hanane-r dmvnwardly and inwardlvlhe folded work edge.

1l, ln a machine for folding pliable material. the combination of a lied. a work table. an inclined edge-turning cutter hlork. an edge. guide on the inclined fare ot' said block, an elige-Hitting knife for slitting the werk edge when in an inclined position. a

folding linger. feeding means comprising a feed wheel and a feed linger, and an in# throwing hammer to hammer downwardly and inwardly the folded work edge.

l2. ln a marhine for folding pliable material. the (-.oxnhination of a lied. a work table. an inclined edge-tinninrr cutter block. an edge guide on the inclined face of `Qaid liloek. an edge iresner finger alsofor said liloek. an edgwslitting knife for slitting the work edee when in an ini-lined position. a folding linger, feeding means4 comprising a feed wheel and a feed linger, and an iii-V throwing hammer to hammer downwardly and inwardly the folded work edge.

13. ln a machine for foldinggpliablematev rial. the eonihination of a hed. a work talile. an inelined alge-turning: entter block. an edge gnide on the inrlined face of Said Vliloek, an edge presser linger conforming snlistantiallyto tial* face of' said block. an edgrwsliliagg knife arranged to more toward and from the entier block for slitting the work edge when in an inelined position. a folding linger. feeding means eomprising! a feed wheel" and a feed linger, and a hainnier to hainnier the folded work edge.

ll. ln a inaehine for folding plialileinate rial. the eoinliination of a hed. a work taille. an inelined edgwtnrning entter liloeli to 'turn the edge ol' the work to substantially an upright position. an inclined edge-alitting knife, a 'folding finger to engage. the

work in its raised position and fold the same and fieding means comprising a feed wheel and a feed finger.

15. in a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of a bed, a work table, an inclined edge-tnrning cutter block to turn the edge of the work to substantially an upright position, an edge presser finger to retain 'the work upon the inclined block until raised thereby and presented to the folding linger, a folding finger to fold the work edge and feeding means comprising a feed wheel and a feed finger.

16. ln a machine for folding pliable material, the Combination of a bed, a work table, an. edgeturning cutter block, an edge slitting knife, a folding linger, and feeding means comprising a feed wheel and a combined feed finger, gage, and rest for the folded edge.

17. ln a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of a bed, a work table, an edge-turning cutter block., an edgeslitting knife, a folding finger, and feedingr means comprising a feed wheel and a feed finger overlying the Work, underlying the folded work edge and over which the edge folded by said folding finger.

18. fln a machine for folding pliable maferial, the combination of a bed, a work table, an edge-turning cutter block, a knife, a folding finger, a l1ookshaped member to determine the line of fold and variable vfeeding means whereby the feed may be varied iduring the folding operation to fold the edge smoothly around curves.

1S). In a maehine for folding pliable maferial, the combination of a bed, a work table, an angular edge-turning cutter block, an angularly operative edge-slitting knife, a presser finger, a folding finger, variable feeding means comprising a lipped feedwheel and a feed linger adapted to press the Work against said lip to define the line for foiding, eaid feeding means enabling the iced to be varied during the folding operation to fold the edge smootiiiy around curves and a hammer to hammer and wipe the folded edge to cause the same to remain in its folded position.

20. In a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of an angularly faced cutter block, an angularly operative edge slitting knife to slit the work thereon, means to withdraw the knife from the Work, a folding finger to fold said elitted ed e, ay hook-shaped member to determine tie line of fold and a hammer to hammer said folded edge firmly in position.

21. In a machine for folding pliable ma terial, the combination of an anguiarly faced edge-turning cutter block, an angnlariy operative edge-slitting knife to slit the work edge in a raised position thereon,

means to vary the throw of and withdraw said knife from the work, a hook-shaped member to determine the line of fold and a f olding linger to fold Said slitted edge.

22. In a machine for folding pliable niaterial, the combination of a feed wheel having intermittent feeding movement, a feed finger supported below and at one side of the work and overhanging the same, having a eoperatingfeeding movement with said wheel and an angulaiupward and substantially straight downward movement preparatory to said feeding movement, a fok ing finger adapted to fold theV work over said feeding linger and a hammer for operating upon the folded portion of the material.

23. In a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of acutter block, an edge-slitting knife, a folding finger, feeding means comprising a feed Wheel and a feed finger, means to actuate the Same, and means to vary the feed of said members comprising' a rock-shaft, a lever therefor and means to vary the position of the fuicrum of said lever.

24. In a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of a Work table, a folding finger, a knife, feeding means comprising a feed Wheel and a feed finger mounted in a carrier, a yoke guide therefor, means to impart rocking motion thereto and to said carrier and means to impart reciprocatory longitudinal movement to said carrier.

25. In a machine for'foiding pliable material, the combination of an inclined edgeturning cutter block, feeding means com prising a feed wheel and a feed finger the end of which overhangs and is inturned to cooperate with said wheel. to feed the work to said block and a folding finger positioned within said overhanging and intllrned end to fold the work over-,upon said inturned end.

26. In a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of feeding means comprising a feed wheel, a feed finger the end of which overhangs and is inturned to cooperate with said wheel, a yfolding finger positioned Within said over-hanging and in turned end to fold the work over and upon the same, said finger comprising asiibstantially upright inember,means to operate the same comprising a rock-shaft carrying at one end thereof said finger and intermediate its ends a. link ivotaily connected to a iever, a sppoxt or said lever and Ameans to actuante said leve-r to impart folding movement to Said finger.

27. In a machine for folding pliable ma- Nferial, the combination of a beveled edge'- vturning eutter block, a gage thereon, a

presser finger therefor, a finger, gage and edge rest,

combined feed a folding linger to fold the turned edge of the work over and upon said edge rest as Said edge leaves said block andan inthrowing"hammer to compress and wipe in ardly said folded edge as it is folded. j l

i 28. A machine ofthe class described having, in combination, mea ns for feeding a piece of materialintermittently into position to have its edge operated upon, an edge rest and a folding linger past which the material progresses, means for causing relative. movement between said rest and finger to form the fold, and means for pressing the fold.

29. ln a machine foi-'folding pliable inaterial, the combination of a bed, a work table, a folding'ifi'nger, a feed member, and a second linger dverlying the work, underlvlying the folded edgeand over which the edge is folded by said folding linger.

30. In a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of a bed, a work table, a folding finger, a feed member. a second linger overlying the work, underlying the folded edge and over which the cdge'is folded by said folding finger, and treadle aetuatcd means for varying the morennnit of Vthe feed member during the operation of the machine.

31. In a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of a bed. a 4work table, means for feeding the work intermittently across said table. a folding finger, and atreadle actuated means for varying the feed during the operation of the machine.

82. [n a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of a. bed. a work table, a folding finger. and feedingr means comprising a combined feeding linger. gage and rest .for the folded edge.

33. ln a machine. for folding pliable, material, the combination of an edge turning member, a combined gage and edge rest. a folding linger to fold the turned edge ol' the work over said rest as said edge leaves said turningr member, and a hannner to press the folded edge.

'l-l'. ln a machine for folding pliable material, the combination of an auguiarly l'aeed edge turning cutter block and an angularly operative edge slitting knife to slit the work edge in a raised position thereon, means to vary the throw of and withdraw said knife from the work, a folding finger to fold said slittcd edge, and means forlcomprcssing the fold.

35T. A machine of the class described having, in combination, folding and feeding mechanism comprising a folder held from movement in the line of feed, a `combined feeding linger and creaser, and y'neans for `actuating said folder and combined member.

3U. ln a machine for folding pliable material the combination of a work table. a folding finger, a. feed member, a second member overlying the work, underlying the folded edge and over vvhich the edge .is folded by said folding finger, and treadle actuated means for varying the movement of the feed member during the operation of the machine.

37. A machine of the` lass described having, in combination, 1n ans forfeeding a piece of material intermittently into position to have its margin operated upon, means for progressively folding the margin, said vlast-named means including a folder and. a

tion to have its margin operated upon, means for progressively slitting and folding the margin, said last-named means 1nclud1ng a creaser about the edge of which the fold ish bent, and treadle actuated means for varying the extent of the intermittent feed movements during the operation of the machine.-

39. A step-by-step folding machine having, in combination, a cutter for slitting the margin of a piece of material, a folder 1oeated to one side of the cutter in the line of feed. a presser lo ated on the other side of the folder from the cutter, a cre-aser about which the slit margin is bent by the folder. means for actuating said cutter, folder and presser, means for feeding material intermittenti)r thereto, and means capable of being operated at will during the operation of the machine for varyingl the extent of the intermittent feed movements.

4t). A. machine of the class `described having, in combination, means for feeding a, piece of material intermittently into position to have its margin operated upon, a ereascr and a folder past which the material piogresses, means for causing relative movement between the folder and creaser to form a: fold, and means capable of being operated at will during the operation of the machine for varying,r the extent of the intermittent feed movements.

4l. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for feeding a piece of material intermittently into position to have its mall-gin operated upon, means for progressivelyslitting and folding the inargin, and treadle actuated means for varying the extent of the, intermittent feed movements during the operation of the machine, said means comprising,l a movable feed controlling member, and yielding means tending normally to move said member to one limit of its path.

42. In a folding machine of the class dethe work feeding device the work is gripped.V

-ments of variable extent to `the direction of during the feeding opeintion,` means for impartingr intermittent feeding movements to the devices which grip the work, and yneans under the, Acontrol of the operator fr, regnlatine,r the extent ofthe feeding movementsV during the operation of the machine.

'43. In a folding machine ol' the elass described, a work feeding` dexiee. eoiperatingr edge folding devices between one of whieh and the work.feedinpr devire the work is gripped daring the feeding operation.y means for imparting intermittent teedinpy mov ethe deviees which grip the work, a feed controlling; member arranged to ota'npv normally a pol sition corresponding to ra predetermined feed, and means under the eontrol of the operator for temporaril)Y movinzgr the `eontrolling' member to a position niort-@spending to a different feed.

4l. In a machine for foldinzeIr terial, the combination with an imlined edge turning block, of feeding' means eomprisi-ng' a supportingr wheel arranged to be turned intermittentl),r abont a fixed axis always in feed,y a feed linger yieldingl)v held toward the periphery ol' the wheel to engage the work and also to determine. the fold line. meehanisni for oseillatingl the feed finger while the work is engaged between it and the wheel. said mechanism beinlgr mannali)V controlled to vary they length of the. feeding steps, and means :1t-ting periodieally for elevating,r the feed linger from the work at the conclusion of eaeh feedingr step.

45. A macliine of the class described having, in f fombination. means for feedinr a piece ot' material intermittently into position to have its margin operated upon. means for progressively slitting;r and folding the, margin, and means under the eontrol of the operator for varying the extent of the intermittent feed movements during the operation of the machine, said means eomprisA pliable ma.

ing a movable feed controlling member and yielding means tending normally to move said member to one limit of its path.

iti. In a machine for folding pliable material the combination with work feeding means of a slitting Iknife. means positively connected at all times with the knife for eontinnbnsly vibrating it, the path of the knife normally intersecting the material, and means onder control of the operator for ehanging the location of the path of the slitting knife to render said knife inoperative without interrupting its vibration.

i7. A maehine of the class described havnig.` m eonibmatxon, a frame, folding 1nstrnmentalities, a vibrating slitting knife, an actuating' shaft-` driving,r connections between the shaft and knife for vibrating the knife, a spring tending to hold the knife in operative position to ont the stock, a stop for determining the limit of forward movement of said knife while in operative position, and treadle operated means carried by the frame of the maehine for adjusting said drivingl connections to render the knife inoperative.

48. A machine of the elass described having, in combination, folding instrnmex'italities, a vibratingjr slitting'knife arranged to operate on the work to be folded. an actuating eeeentrie for the knife,y movable driving meehanism between the eeeentrie and the knifex and normally stationary treadle eontrolled means eonneeted at all times to the driving meehanism, \\'l1ereby said connecting nieehanisni may be moved to shift the path ol the knife without interrupting its vibration.

Tn testimony whereof, I have signed myname to this specification, in the presence 0f two snbseribing1r witnesses.

CHARLES P. STANBON.

\Vi-nesses lvninrrr S. Einem',V ltonnn'r ll. KAMMLER. 

